Science help for local pupils

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 477, 16 March 1993, Page 3

Science help for local pupils

Ruapehu College's science department is rcaping the benefits of a generous grant made by chemicals company Bayer New Zealand. The college recently purchased a comprehensive IBM compatible software/hardware package worth approximately $3000 that will enhance experimentation in the field and in the lab. The package consists of four "Blue Box" sensors, registering pH, temperature, light, and sound, with the capability of storing data in the field to be downloaded to a computer for further analysis in the classroom. Bayer launched the Science Sponsorship Awards in September last year offering 10 state

schools throughout the country the opportunity to apply for the $50,000 on offer each year. The sponsorship attracted over 200 secondary schools, with 10 schools including Ruapehu College being selected. The award is worth over $4,500 with sponsored schools receiving: $2000 worth of science equipment, $200 AGFA photographic products, a safety poster for the science lab, two molecular models, and a science resource teaching kit created by the Association of Science Education, Britain. The sponsored schools also have the opportunity to apply for five student scholarships of $4,500 ($1,500 over

three years), to be spent covering the cost of tertiary study fees. Another $1000 was financed by the college Board of Govemors to enable top-of-the-line equipment to be purchased. Managing Dircctor of Bayer New Zealand, David Hope-Cross stressed the importance of science in schools. "Bayer believes that New Zealand's future, as a small nation, depends on science education and research," he said. "Sponsorship of schools is intended to assist the encouraging work already being undertaken by the average New Zealand school in educating young New Zealanders about science."